Raiders CB David Amerson proves his former coach right in reviving his career with a fresh start

As a Washington rookie, David Amerson returned an interception for a touchdown against the Raiders in 2013.(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

ALAMEDA — It turns out Jay Gruden had it all figured out when Washington put cornerback David Amerson on waivers 10 months ago.

“He might be a great player somewhere else in the next year or so,” Gruden told reporters last Sept. 21. “His career is not over by a long shot. He’s going to go somewhere else and play and probably play well.”

Fast forward to Tuesday, and Amerson, having excelled for the Raiders as a starting cornerback after being claimed on waivers, was talking to reporters on a conference call after signing a four-year contract extension.

“When I got released from Washington, things were cloudy but I never lost sight of the vision,” Amerson said. “I knew I had to do something to get my name out there. I’ve got an organization that’s behind me and supports me and it’s just a blessing, man.”

Amerson’s extension, according to Profootballtalk.com, will pay him $4 million in 2016 in salary and bonus money and he’s likely to make at least $17.5 million up to a maximum of more than $38 million if he becomes a Pro Bowl player.

That’s a considerable bump from the $880,123 Amerson was scheduled to make in the final year of the deal he signed with Washington as a second-round draft pick out of North Carolina State.

The way Amerson sees it, two things happened that turned things in his favor. First, the release forced Amerson to take a look in the mirror. Second, the Raiders provided a perfect landing spot in terms of coaching and scheme.

“You compare it to when I was in Washington, instead of going home and playing video games all night, it was a much different approach,” Amerson said. “I was going home and I was in my playbook, or watching film, or looking at my notes of whatever team we were playing that week. Just the little stuff.”

It helped that when Amerson arrived in Week 3, he was quickly inserted into the lineup in a system that suited him.

“Our scheme last year was, `You know what we’re in, so beat it,’ type stuff,” Amerson said. “It really made you go out and play fast and just really play football. I got there and barely knew the plays. We’re breaking the huddle and I’m asking guys, `What coverage is this?’ But I was able to compete and play fast football.”

Amerson’s season included a team-high 25 passes defensed, plus four interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown on an interception return.

After a promising rookie season in Washington, Amerson had a poor second season, and by Year 3 he found himself on the bench during the second game of the season before being waived.

According to statistical breakdowns by Profootballfocus.com, Amerson was the league’s most improved player from 2014 to 2015.

It doesn’t sound as if Amerson, at age 24, plans on backsliding to the days of late-night video game marathons. He has fallen in line with coach Jack Del Rio’s mission statement about disregarding the buzz which is building around the Raiders and their prospects in 2016.

“I think he put best — expectations are just expectations,” Amerson said. “You still have to go out there and do it and prove it, and the best way to go about that is just working. Guys have that mentality to work, and once you know you put 100 percent effort into your preparation, you’ve got to live with the results and let your talent and your wings spread.”

Why? I think it would be great to have him up there calling out both of the other two.

Purvisman/Eternal Optimist

I’ll take him.
I don’t know anything about him, but I’ll take him.

RaidingTexas

Johnson will siphon votes from both sides most likely.

inonewordraider

If it hurts hillary its horrible, its not like he has a chance

RaidingTexas

Than so be it.

Purvisman/Eternal Optimist

Everybody said that about…, oh, what’s his name…,
Oh yeah!
Trump!

inonewordraider

You burners will vote gary and give the trump the presidency. NOOOOO!

RaidingTexas

You think she can be hurt even more, bro? Her unfavorability is already like 60%. I just think it would be very entertaining to have all three of them on stage.

Dakota

Quick plea to a violation that doesn’t sound as bad as assault so that he can still go the the Olympics:

“Lawyers say Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green will pay $560 for a noise violation and avoid jail time in a deal that gets rid of a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in East Lansing, Michigan.

David Meyers, an attorney for the city, says the noise violation is not a criminal charge so no guilty plea is required. Green’s attorney, James Heos, said Friday that the violation is akin to a parking ticket.

Meyers said Green got no special treatment in the deal.”

inonewordraider

Hillary in office>entertainment

R8erEduc8er

Gonna hurt NC’s pockets. Hope they didn’t include it in the budget!

R8der4evr

False Prophet is coming soon

RaidingTexas

I’m not in a swing state. Not yet anyway. Maybe in a couple more cycles. This state is going Trump.

Dan78

Well the Notorious B.I.G loving Durant might like that.. Or not..

RaidingTexas

Hillary in office=entertainment

The right wing media would make it a VERY entertaining four years.

Dakota

Denny Green was as much of a joke coach as most of the Raider candidates prior to Jack.

Dan78

Wow… Yet the NBA is out to screw Dray, and Warriors right…

Dan78

Jim’s brother

Dakota

Marc Stein ✔ @ESPNSteinLine
Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs have finalized his new contract, with Dallas upping the deal to $50 million over two years, league sources say.
12:29 PM – 22 Jul 2016

How many times did DT say peace and safety last night?
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then
sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with
child; and they shall not escape.
##
Refresh

RAY NJ

Anti- Llama. though.

Gdog

He influenced the DC hires, and might have had his hand in the defensive schemes. But other than that, you could do anything you wanted. Especially if it worked.

You think he LIKED Gruden’s chuck and duck offense?

Did you hate the Raiders back when Al was alive like some of the other Roos?

Gdog

Pubs blame Perot for Clinton getting elected.

I don’t see why it can’t happen again.

PodunkRaider (aka RRS)

if you live a life of sin without repentance, yes – hell is your final destination for eternity